Tanzania Photo Safari with Brenda Tharp

Tour Intro

We have planned this safari during this period for a special reason — the Serengeti migration, the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. Our trip is timed to coincide with the annual migration of thousands of animals through the central & northern corridor, and with luck we will witness the herds as they travel across the region to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This safari gives you an in-depth view of the natural history of East Africa, with a special emphasis on wildlife photography.

This safari will encompass the elephant herds of Tarangire National Park, the wildlife of the Serengeti, as well as a private interactive visit with the Maasai.

This is Africa as you’ve always imagined it to be: the magic of a Serengeti sunset, the teeming wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater. A safari to Tanzania is a special adventure into the premier game-viewing country of Africa. Tanzania’s great game parks and reserves are unsurpassed anywhere in the world. We’ll see all of the major plains animals, zebras, giraffes, impalas, gazelles, and other herbivores. There will be baboons and monkeys, herds of elephant and buffalo, and some of the most wonderful bird life you will ever see.

Special Features of This Safari
• Game Drives for Photographers and Naturalists
• Early mornings and late afternoons, for the best wildlife photography and light. Long days in the field. Excellent driver-guides who are sensitive to the needs of photo groups.
• Seven passenger stretch vehicle, with limited number of photographers in each vehicle — a real luxury, but essential for photographers. We have instituted this policy to help lower our carbon footprint and for the past five years our participants have been in full support. (The safari vehicles we use are roomy 7 passenger “stretch” 4WD Land Rovers and Land Cruisers, chosen for their ruggedness and reliability.
• Photographic expertise and leadership of Brenda Tharp.
• The accommodations will be modern, deluxe lodges that are in harmony with their environment and are constructed of local materials. You will also stay in luxury-tented camps, immersing you in the sights and sounds of Africa. Food at all locations is well prepared and delicious.
• Extensive readings and travel information will be supplied when you enroll.

Tour Highlights

• Intensive game viewing at Serengeti National Park.
• Only 4-5 participants per vehicle (7 passenger stretch Land Cruisers) and limited to 12 participants, to ensure the optimum photographic experience.
• Time to absorb and photograph the wonder of it all. Most safari operator’s rush from place to place, we take our time, watching and waiting for wildlife or just the right light.
• Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Parks.

Tour Itinerary

September 15-16: USA - Amstrdam - Arusha

Photo Location: Tanzania, East Africa

Board the KLM flight to Amsterdam, landing September 16. You will have a short layover before continuing to Arusha. On arrival, you will be met at the airport, Travel Visa will be processed, and the group will then be taken to the hotel. AFRICAN TULIP HOTEL (dinner)

September 17-18: Tarangire National Park

Photo By: Don May

Photo Location: Elephant, Tanzania

Drive to the Tarangire National Park (approximately 2 hours) after an early breakfast. Check in at the main park gate and game drive to the Tarangire Sopa Lodge for a hot lunch and continue with afternoon game drives. This is a peak time of the year to enjoy Tarangire with migratory elephants joining the resident herds for water in the Tarangire River and surrounding wetlands. There are approximately 3,000 resident elephants in the park year round and another 3,500 migratory elephants join them during the months of June-October. More than 50,000 other herd animals (wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and other antelopes) have also migrated into the park as well. Tarangire is outstanding for elephants, huge troops of baboon, impala, giraffe and birdlife. The park has large prides of lion and abundant leopards as well. TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE (all meals)

September 19-20: Ngorongoro Crater

Photo By: Kathy Adams Clark

Photo Location: Tanzania

Depart the Tarangire and drive to Ngorongoro Crater. You will travel through a number of colorful villages and through the Great Rift Valley. If you would like to shop for any gifts, we will stop at the African Gallery in Manyara village. Continue to Lions Paw Camp (see amenities for all the camps below) on the eastern rim of the Crater, arriving in time for a hot lunch and a briefing about camp life, showers, campfire and then dinner. Descend to the Crater floor for an afternoon game drive.

The next day prepare for a very early wakeup call and leave Lions Paw by 6AM to descend to the Crater floor for a full day game drive with a picnic lunch. The Crater is one of the best locations for seeing black rhino as they come down from the forest on the rim to browse on the Crater floor. The Crater also has the densest population of spotted hyena and the beautiful but endangered Crowned Crane. The early morning and later afternoon is the best time for game viewing to catch the previous night’s hunting and to avoid the crush of tourist vehicles that come down a little later in the morning. LIONS PAW CAMP (all meals)

All Camp Amenities
River Camp features 10 canvas tents including the family tent and one dedicated triple tent with three twin beds. with roomy sleeping quarters, one of which is a Family tent consisting of two separate bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Each tent has its own private en-suite bathroom that includes running water from a marble-topped single basin vanity, a separate hot shower area elevated on teak wood flooring, an enclosed private flush toilet and a dressing area. Each tent is furnished with a comfortable sitting area complete with a hand-carved solid wood coffee table, cozy upholstered side chairs and a quaint writing desk for journaling about the day’s events.

September 21-22: Central Serengeti

After breakfast drive around the rim of the Crater and to the Serengeti National Park. Check in at the main park gate and game drive to Sametu Camp in the eastern central Serengeti.

Game drive to various areas of the vast central Serengeti the next day, such as the Sametu and Barafu Kopjes, the Moru Kopjes where the black rhino are breeding in the Serengeti as well as the Maasai, Boma, Simba Kopjes and Seronera River Valley. At this time of the year, the absence of the big herds of wildebeest and zebra create a food shortage for the large cat population in the central Serengeti since cats do not migrate with the herds. As a result lions especially need to hunt all day long to find enough food for the prides. It is also the time of the year cats can hunt the larger and more dangerous prey as a large pride; seeking giraffe, hippo, elephant and ostrich. Sametu has a stunning view of the sun setting in the west and often has wildlife coming through the camp day and night. The location is more remote to avoid a lot of the other tourist vehicles and allows you to explore the vast areas of the central Serengeti. SAMETU TENTED CAMP (all meals)

September 23-24: Northern Serengeti

Photo By: Brenda Tharp

Photo Location: Africa

Game drive from the central Serengeti to the northern Serengeti, passing through the Togoro Plains, the Lobo Valley, Bologonja and the Nyamalumbwa Hills before reaching the Mara River. At this time of the year the 1.4 million wildebeest in the northern Serengeti and along the Mara River crossing back and forth for grazing on both sides of the river. There are 9 crossing points the herds like to use and your guide will use all of his knowledge and experience to take you to the best places to witness a crossing. Please remember that it always takes patience to see a crossing because the herds can linger along the banks for hours before deciding it is safe or necessary to cross to the other side for continued grazing. The northern Serengeti is host to a large number of resident wildlife as well and it is an excellent location for large herds of elephants, cape buffalo and gazelles. This is also good habitat for black rhino and occasionally wild dogs are seen as well but on rare occasions.

There is a local Maasai village near by, in which your guides may be able to schedule a photography shoot with them while you learn about life in the Serengeti. Enjoy another full day of game drives along the Mara River. Due to habitat destruction in the Maasai Mara only about 30% of the herd actually moves further north into Kenya. A full 70% of the wildebeest and zebra herds remain in the Serengeti along the river for excellent grazing and good water. RIVER CAMP (all meals)

September 25: Arusha - Amsterdam

Enjoy one last early morning game drive as you travel to the Kogatende airstrip and fly to Arusha. The flight leaves at 10 am and arrives in Arusha by 12:15 depending upon other possible bush stops. Transfer to the Arusha Coffee Lodge for a hot lunch and additional opportunities for shopping. Visit Shanga House (www.shanga.org), which is on the grounds of the Arusha Coffee Lodge. This project teaches vocational and craft skills to the physically and mentally disabled in Arusha allowing them to earn a living and remain a contributing member of their families. Continue to the African Tulip Hotel for a dayroom and farewell dinner. Early evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight. (all meals)

September 26: Amsterdam - USA

Photo By: Rose Erato

Photo Location: Tanzania

Arrive in Amsterdam this morning and have a short layover before connecting with the KLM flight back to the USA. (meals on plane)

Contact Info

Brenda Tharp

Brenda is a professional photographer, speaker and educator with a life-long wanderlust for exploring the world and photographing it. The travel bug bit when she was young, reading the pages of National Geographic and Life magazines. Today, she loves to escort people to a variety of wonder-filled places to share in the adventure of the place and to help in the making of memorable images. Brenda believes that in the process of exploring and photographing the world around you, wherever you are, you gain so much more than just photographs - you bring back the experiences from those places that remain with you forever. She advocates photographing with a sense of purpose, keeping your eyes and your soul open to what's going on around you. Brenda's sensitive approach to photographing people has her often trying to blend in with the 'background' to capture special moments of daily life. Even her portraits are approached with sensitivity and respect for the person and the culture. Brenda has an untiring desire to help participants with their photography. She challenges you to see in new ways. Topics of discussion on each trip are tailored to the groups' needs, yet typically include: how to photograph people/strangers, paying attention to the light, using elements of design in a scene to help create more impact, creating visual depth, and storytelling with your images. Additional discussions often include processing and workflow, which Brenda often covers while on the bus on longer drives, or in the hotel lobby. There or in the field, she is always available for technical or visual help, offering tips and suggestions to help you to refine their own vision of the place.

I really enjoyed Brenda's style of talking as we were on the bus. Very informative without being too formal. Lots of chances to learn as we took photos as well - in early morning or in evening. Got some great tips from Jed as I was photographing on various occasions. Very responsive to our questions with NO judgement about our skill levels. I have told many people that this was the best or one of the two best trips I have ever been on. The leaders great, group jelled fabulously and for me, traveling with all photographers was amazing.

Nancy Hauserman

Pricing and Details

Tour Cost: $8,995

Single room supplement: $1,195

Small Group Additional Charge: $500

US Dollars based upon minimum of 8 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $500 if 6-7 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single rooms are subject to availability. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Testimonials

What was the highlight of your trip? Brenda - she was great. Efficient, knowledgeable, friendly, continually involved with all of us.

R. Pool

Brenda Tharp Immediately made my short list of future photography mentors. She has proven to be so much more than just a professional photographer. Watching her begin and end each day making sure each of us was personally and photographically content, showed a side of this professional woman that most individuals are not priveleged to see.

Additional Notes

Brenda Tharp is a professional photographer, speaker and educator with a life-long wanderlust for exploring the world and photographing it. Today, she loves to escort people to a variety of wonder-filled places to share in the adventure of the place and to help in the making of memorable images. Brenda believes that in the process of exploring and photographing the world around you, wherever you are, you gain so much more than just photographs - you bring back the experiences from those places that remain with you forever. She advocates photographing with a sense of purpose, keeping your eyes and your soul open to what's going on around you. Brenda's sensitive approach to photographing people has her often trying to blend in with the 'background' to capture special moments of daily life. Even her portraits are approached with sensitivity and respect for the person and the culture. Brenda has an untiring desire to help participants with their photography. She challenges you to see in new ways.

Prior to your tour departure Brenda will email you a visual presentation, providing tips on capturing a sense of place, photographing people, capturing candid moments, working with available light, and how to simplify your pictures to give them more impact. This instructional photography tour is focused on helping you make the best images possible. You will be active, photographing as much as possible in the best light of morning or evening yet also working at other times of day when conditions are right for our subjects. Our schedule requires you to be flexible so that we can be in the right places for the right light.

Brenda will offer photographic advice and some instruction on the tour, and will also be available to answer questions. There will be informal discussions during midday when the light is not optimum for photographs.

“I focus on creative nature and travel photography on our tours. Having a good foundation of the basics of photography will help you be more prepared for making expressive travel images. I enjoy helping participants expand their skills. I’m always willing to help you make the best pictures you can on the trip, however I do ask you to be very familiar with how your camera functions.”

Please join tour leader Brenda Tharp for this incredible cultural and photographic opportunity. The emphasis of the trip is on photography, yet this is much more, one that non-photographic travelers can enjoy just as well. Days will be filled with unique photographic opportunities, in that there are so many wonderful hidden places to explore. Your leader will seek out obscure settings to visit and photograph, places you would not find on your own.

Terms and Conditions

Unless otherwise noted, this information applies to all tours.

Airfare

Contact Strabo Tours if you would like rates on International Airfare. Please note on your trip application form if you would like us to assist you with your airfare needs, a charge is added for this service. If making your own arrangements, it is important to discuss flight times with Strabo Tours before booking any airline tickets. This will avoid you having to pay airline cancellation penalties. Please contact Strabo Tours for destination airfare estimates, specific flight time arrivals, and departures.

The land cost includes:

Group transportation for tour events in the tour van.

Accommodations based on two people sharing a room, singles are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Services of driver, English speaking cultural guide (if applicable) and photographic leader, during the tour.

Meals as listed in itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

Park entrance fees, day tours and excursions as shown in the itinerary.

Extensive pre-departure information and services.

The land cost does not include:

Domestic or International air fare; other airfare if noted in exceptions; air fare tax; airport departure tax; airport transfers; additional transfers or accommodations that may be required by those not traveling with the group; excess baggage charges; meals not included in itinerary; activities taken on your own; passport/visa expenses; personal medical or travel insurance; any expenses of a personal nature, such as room service, laundry, beverages not included with meals, medical expenses, photographic equipment, any activities not specified in tour itinerary or listed as optional, or any items not listed in what is included; fuel surcharges; exchange rate surcharges; upon the completion of your trip, modest gratuities to the local guides and the drivers are customary; tips for meals not included in itinerary.

Fitness and Health

The majority of trips are not strenuous (see exceptions below for particular destinations) and anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to take part in most of the activities. You may experience general fatigue due to the long flights and the change in time zones. You will need to be sufficiently agile to climb in and out of the tour van and be able to carry and manage your own equipment. We will frequently hike trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some hotels do not have elevators or air conditioners.

If you have any special needs or any physical condition that you feel might prevent you from fully participating, please contact Strabo Tours with your concerns (607-756-8676).

You should also be aware that medical services or facilities might not be readily available during all or part of your trip. This could include emergency medical care, presence of physicians, or adequate medication.

Exceptions:

The following destinations require more physical activity. Bhutan, China, Patagonia, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Scotland, Domestic tours. On the African Safari you will spend many hours in a vehicle on game drives, land travel will sometimes be over very bumpy and dusty roads. Galapagos Cruise accommodations are in upper and lower berths (bunk beds) only.

The following destinations require more physical activity. Bhutan, China, Patagonia, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Scotland, Domestic tours. On the African Safari you will spend many hours in a vehicle on game drives, land travel will sometimes be over very bumpy and dusty roads. Galapagos Cruise accommodations are in upper and lower berths (bunk beds) only.

Deposits, Cancellations AND Refunds

A deposit of $750 ($500 on domestic tours) per person is required. Specific tours may require an additional deposit due to accommodation bookings or transportation requirements. If applicable these will be noted on your invoice. Payment in full is required when bookings are made less than 120 days before the departure date. Space is subject to cancellation by Strabo if payment is not received when due.

If a passenger wishes to cancel they must send notification in writing to: Strabo International Tour, Co., P.O. Box 580, Dryden, NY 13053; fax 208-545-4119. At the time we receive your notification, the following per person charges apply:

91 days or more before departure: $300 cancellation fee ($150 fee on domestic tours), plus Strabo’ costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation.

61-90 days before departure: $500 ($250 on domestic tours) minimum cancellation fee, plus Strabo’ costs, as well as fees that are charged by the suppliers providing the services included in your tour, and/or the airlines providing the air transportation. Fees may range from 25% to 100% of tour costs.

60 days or less before departure or anytime after departure: NO REFUND.

Refunds for services that are voluntarily not used by you cannot be made.

Insurance

Each participant must be covered by medical insurance that is valid overseas.

We strongly urge you to evaluate your risk and to take out insurance on your trip. It is vital for you to realize that if you experience a delay or find it necessary to cancel or cut short your trip for any reason, you will lose part or the entire sum you’ve invested in it (see the section “Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds” in the trip brochure).

Travel insurance helps to minimize the risk of monetary losses you would incur in the event of a delay of your departure due to weather, airline strike, missed connection, etc., your inability to travel for reasons such as illness, injury, unforeseen financial complications and other personal circumstances, or if you were required to cut your trip short for medical or any other reasons.

There are restrictions and limitations on any insurance program. For this reason, please read carefully the enclosed pamphlet, which outlines their program of trip cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance. Trained agents are available to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to call the toll free number in their brochure. It is to your advantage to apply for insurance at the earliest possible time, so don’t delay in making a decision.

Subject to Change

Itineraries have been carefully constructed to assure participants the best each destination has to offer; however, should events arise that are beyond our control, activities and hotel arrangements are subject to change without notice. The itineraries summarize typical areas you will explore. Since there is no possible way to visit all of them, your guides will plan each day considering the interests of the group and the weather at hand. Be assured that we will make substitutions that are as similar in quality and interest as possible.

Photo Release

Strabo International Tour Company, Inc. reserves the right and permission to use photographs of individuals on tour for use in promotional and publicity purposes. We also reserve the right to use clients photographs for promotional and publicity purposes, when submitted to Strabo International Tour Company, Inc.

Accommodations

All lodge and camp accommodations based upon two people sharing a room. Single rooms may be available at a supplementary cost.

Food & Drink

All meals while on safari are included, with some picnic lunches. Soft drinks and bottled water included at camps and in vehicles.